Fencing in the Future

For the curious, this section will deal with how fencing and sword combat evolves as time progresses. A brief analysis of individual fighting styles developed in the future will help to educate and broaden present-day fencing horizons.

The first discussion will be a seven-part series on the various styles of fencing used by the Order of Jedi Knights, as taught by the Jedi Temple.

Form I: Shii-Cho, also known as The Way of the Sarlaac , or The Determination Form, was the first of the seven forms of lightsaber combat known to the Jedi.

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Background and Description

With the creation of the lightsaber as a combat weapon, the need for a formalized, teachable combat system became apparent. Form I was born out of this necessity, and is the most ancient of the seven lightsaber forms, introduced when the Jedi switched from traditional metal swords to lightsabers, to better take advantage of the new blade's versatility. It is by far the most simple of all lightsaber forms, and so all Jedi use it to some degree. It uses attack zones, parries, and practice drills, and blade contact mimics that of traditional swordplay. While not developed for lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat, Form I nevertheless has few flaws, though similarly, few advantages. The philosophy emphasizes and focuses on victory without injury of the opponent.

Maneuvers

Form I has two basic moves:

attack: a blade movement aimed towards a body zone

parry: a set of blocks designed to deflect a blade away from a certain body zone being targeted

Body target zones are labeled as the head, righ side, left side, back, right leg, and left leg.

Usage

Form I is most ideal when outnumbered against multiple weaker opponents for its balanced approach to fighting, but against a singular skilled opponent is lacking in both attack and defense. It requires wild, primal emotions to power it. As the most basic form, it is relentless, though unwieldy, with few tiresome moves and a constant flow of attacks and parries.

Notable Practitioners

Kit Fisto, pictured above, is probably the most widely known Jedi master to employ Form I on a regular basis, though all Jedi use it from time to time. Kit Fisto used it to great effectiveness in the battles of the Clone Wars, placing him as one of the greatest swordfighters in the Jedi Order, but its flaws led to his defeat at the hands of Asajj Ventress and Count Dooku.

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